'We're in the dark!' East Sussex MP backs locals over plans to house HUNDREDS of migrants in leafy town

The Government’s plan to move asylum seekers out of taxpayer-funded hotels and into Crowborough Training Camp has already endured scathing local scrutiny with protest after protest in the leafy town.

The document, released this afternoon, read: "This claim for judicial review is about the extent to which it is lawful for the state, outside of the national security context, to maintain secrecy in a process of authorising a land use planning decision."

But, apart from local concerns about safety and security for residents, MPs and councillors have been up in arms after they alleged the Home Office failing to communicate the plans with local politicans sooner.

"I agree with the locals," Ms Ghani told Martin.

"It was very clear from that first meeting that the Home Office were working with the district council, and none of our concerns were addressed. Now, this isn't a regular army barrack, it's a training camp.

"It's already a site for the Crowborough cadets. It's an area of outstanding natural beauty. We have a Liberal Democrat and Green-run Council, which are very strict on any measures or any negative impact on the environment.

"So we always hope that the one District Councilor would raise any legal objections on planning permission and environment permissions to the Home Office, but they haven't.

"The Crowborough community, through the Crowborough Shield, have fundraised and put forward obviously this legal action today.

"It was the job of the Woodland District Council, but they're nowhere to be seen.

"This is a site that the Home Office has to show that is safe, legal and compliant. And there's been no consultation."

Former Tory plans to house migrants in the grounds had been previously shredded after the housing was deemed unsuitable for living.

"We're yet to see how the support services are going to be stood up, whether it's local, whether it's policing, whether its county, to do with welfare or education.

"So we're all in the dark and Crowborough Shield are doing what the Crowborough community wants."

Since the end of October, furious residents have been leading protests against the move, with the latest taking place on Sunday after army cadets were booted out of the camp.

Plenty flocked to the streets as rain lashed down around them while they feverishly brandished Union Jacks and placards in a rally against the decision.

In a statement, the Crowborough Shield Community Interest Company said: "We can confirm that just after 2pm today, on behalf of the people of Crowborough, we have issued proceedings against the Home Secretary in respect of her decision to house migrants at Crowborough Camp.

"We are seeking judicial review to overturn the decision.

"Our position is that the government’s actions breach the community’s common law rights to justice and procedural fairness.

"We rely on article six of the European Convention on Human Rights which protects our right to a fair hearing.

"Our position is that residents have been denied the opportunity to understand, scrutinise, or challenge the decision-making process.

"We have named Wealden District Council and the Ministry of Defence as interested parties in our case,” the group added.

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